Short Summary

INTRODUCTION: Easter -- the time when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ -- was observed in traditional style throughout the world on Sunday (10 April).

Description

INTRODUCTION: Easter -- the time when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ -- was observed in traditional style throughout the world on Sunday (10 April).

SYNOPSIS: In the Vatican City a huge crowd of about 100,000 people packed St, Peter's square to hear Pope paul deliver his Easter message after he had celebrated Mass. Choirs chanted in English, French and German and bright spring sunshine lit up and red and white wall hangings on the facade of St. Peter's basilica as the faithful Catholics gathered in the square listened to the Pope speak from a balcony. The main point of his message was that the resurrection should make people rethink the values of their daily lives.

In Moscow, orthodox Christians gathered at the Uspensky Church inside one of the city's oldest monastic establishments--the Novodevichi nunnery. At midnight priests proclaimed the resurrection--readings from the scriptures followed and then came the Easter liturgy. Foreign diplomats and newsmen were among the congregation. The main Easter service in Moscow was held at the Yelokhovsky cathedral, where Patriarch Pimen made an appeal for peace in the world.

After thee service at the Uspensky church the priest led the congregation out into the streets. According to Reuters news agency in some parts of Moscow militant communists cordoned off churches and tried to discourage young people from taking part in the services -- but this procession was allowed to proceed unhindered.

In Athens, Greece, for the third year now the people and the armed forces celebrated Easter under democracy -- and, in a unique manner. Greek tradition demands that red eggs should be cracked among friends and organised groups on Easter Sunday -- so President Constantine Tsatsos performed the ceremony with his palace guard and a feast of spit-roasted lamb followed.

Later President Tsatsos cracked red eggs with his guests at an Easter banquet -- and afterwards everyone joined in to appreciate the mood of the occasion as the Evzones dancers went through one of their traditional routines.

And lastly Jerusalem. A record number of Christian pilgrims from many parts of the world thronged the old city on Sunday in brilliant sunshine. There were processions through the streets, watched by some of the 100,000 visitors to the city and many church services. High Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Holy sepulchre, which according to tradition was Christ's burial place. The Latin Patriarch, Monsignor Giuseppe Giacomo Beltritti conducted the service and led a procession to the rock on which the body of Christ is believed to have been annointed.